Ryan Braun was one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball from 2007 to 2012. He won the National League MVP award in 2011 and helped the Milwaukee Brewers reach the playoffs three times. However, Braun’s career was derailed in 2013 when he was suspended for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).
Braun’s rise to stardom
Braun was drafted by the Brewers in the first round of the 2005 MLB draft. He made his major league debut in 2007 and quickly established himself as one of the most promising young players in the game. In 2008, Braun hit 34 home runs and drove in 106 RBIs, finishing second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.
Braun continued to improve in 2009, batting .309 with 32 home runs and 114 RBIs. He helped lead the Brewers to their first playoff appearance since 1982. In 2010, Braun had another stellar season, hitting .316 with 33 home runs and 111 RBIs. He was named to his first All-Star team and helped the Brewers win their first division title since 1982.
His suspension for performance-enhancing drugs
In 2011, Braun had his best season yet. He batted .332 with 33 home runs and 111 RBIs, leading the Brewers to their second consecutive division title. Braun was named the NL MVP and was widely considered to be one of the best players in baseball.
However, Braun’s MVP season was tarnished in December 2011 when he was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for PEDs. Braun appealed the suspension, and it was overturned in February 2012 after it was revealed that the collector of Braun’s urine sample had failed to follow proper protocol.
Braun’s suspension was overturned, but the damage had already been done. His reputation was tarnished, and many fans and baseball observers questioned his integrity.
The aftermath of the suspension
Braun returned to the Brewers in 2012 and had another solid season, hitting .312 with 41 home runs and 113 RBIs. However, he was never the same player he was before the suspension. He struggled with injuries and his performance declined over the next few years.
In 2013, Braun was suspended again for PEDs, this time for 65 games. He admitted to using PEDs during his 2011 MVP season and apologized to his fans and teammates.
Braun returned to the Brewers in 2014 and played for seven more seasons. He never reached the heights of his pre-suspension career, but he was still a productive player. He retired after the 2021 season.
Braun’s legacy
Ryan Braun is a complex legacy. He was one of the best hitters in baseball for several years, but his career was derailed by PED use. It is impossible to say what Braun could have accomplished if he had never used PEDs. However, there is no doubt that he was one of the most talented players of his generation.
Braun’s impact on the Milwaukee Brewers is undeniable. He helped lead the Brewers to the playoffs four times and was a key player on their 2011 division championship team. He is the Brewers’ all-time leader in home runs and RBIs.
Braun’s PED use also divided his fans. Some fans forgave him for his mistakes and continued to support him. Others were disgusted by his actions and turned their backs on him.
How Braun’s suspension changed the game
Braun’s suspension was a wake-up call for Major League Baseball. It showed that even the biggest stars in the game were not above using PEDs. MLB responded by toughening its PED penalties and increasing its testing program.
Braun’s suspension also led to a lot of debate about the issue of performance-enhancing drugs. Some people argued that PED use should be legalized, while others argued that it should be banned outright. The debate over PEDs continues to this day.
Braun’s retirement
Braun retired from Major League Baseball after the 2021 season. He finished his career with a .294 batting average, 355 home runs, and 1194 RBIs. He is the Milwaukee Brewers’ all-time leader in home runs and RBIs.
Braun retired on his own terms and said that he was “at peace” with his decision. He expressed gratitude to his fans, teammates, and coaches for their support over the years.
Why he retired
Braun cited a number of reasons for his retirement, including his age (37), his health, and his desire to spend more time with his family. He also said that he was “ready for the next chapter” of his life.
His hopes for the future
Braun has not announced any specific plans for his retirement. He has said that he is interested in staying involved in baseball, but he is not sure what his role will be. He has also said that he is interested in exploring other opportunities, such as business and broadcasting.
FAQs
Q: What happened with Ryan Braun’s suspension?
A: Braun was suspended for 50 games in 2011 after testing positive for PEDs. The suspension was overturned in 2012 after it was revealed that the collector of Braun’s urine sample had failed to follow proper protocol. Braun was suspended again for PEDs in 2013, this time for 65 games. He admitted to using PEDs during his 2011 MVP season and apologized to his fans and teammates.
Q: Why did Ryan Braun retire?
A: Braun retired from Major League Baseball after the 2021 season. He cited a number of reasons for his retirement, including his age (37), his health, and his desire to spend more time with his family. He also said that he was “ready for the next chapter” of his life.
Q: What is Ryan Braun’s legacy?
A: Ryan Braun is a complex legacy. He was one of the best hitters in baseball for several years, but his career was derailed by PED use. He is the Milwaukee Brewers’ all-time leader in home runs and RBIs. However, his PED use tarnished his reputation and led to a lot of debate about the issue of performance-enhancing drugs.
Q: Is Ryan Braun a Hall of Famer?
A: It is too early to say whether or not Ryan Braun will be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was a great player for several years, but his PED use will likely hurt his chances of getting in.
Q: What is Ryan Braun doing now?
A: Braun has not announced any specific plans for his retirement. He has said that he is interested in staying involved in baseball, but he is not sure what his role will be. He has also said that he is interested in exploring other opportunities, such as business and broadcasting.
Conclusion
Ryan Braun is a complex figure. He was one of the best hitters in baseball for several years, but his career was derailed by PED use. He is the Milwaukee Brewers’ all-time leader in home runs and RBIs. However, his PED use tarnished his reputation and led to a lot of debate about the issue of performance-enhancing drugs.
